Grip device



L. C. FOLLIN GRIP DEVICE Aug. 10; 1937.

Original Filed March 25, 1935 Patented Aug. 10, 1937 UNITED STAT @LFMQE 12,917. 1935, Serial No. 24,136

1 Claim.

My invention relates to grip devices for connection with ends of flexible elements, of the character presenting openings therethrough in which the element extends and becomes inter- 5 locked therewith, my invention having been devised for use more particularly, though not ex-, clusively, as a part of a belt of the so-called sanitary type used to support sanitary napkins, or the like, the present application being a division of my co-pending application for United States Letters Patent Serial No. 12,917, filed March 25, 1935.

My objects are to provide a novel construction of grip device, more especially, though not exclusively, for use with a belt of the type above stated and comprising a napkin especially of the present day gauze or knit type, the grip device being adapted for the ready gripping engagement therewith of the pad or other article to be supported and adapted to securely grip the pad and hold it against accidental disengagement therefrom in a condition in which there is no objectionable bulging of the pad at the device; and other objects as will be manifest from the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawing in which I have illustrated my invention in connection with a belt of the so-called sanitary type:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the belt showing it as applied to the body of a person the outlines of which are shown by dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a face View of one of the similar ends of the belt.

Figure 3 is an edge view of the structure shown in Fig. 2 the structure being viewed along the irregular line 3-3 on Fig. 2 and in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is an edge View of the grip device, provided at each end of the belt, for supporting the napkin, this view illustrating the first stage in the securing of the napkin to the device; and

Figure 5, a similar view showing the final step in securing the napkin in place.

The belt shown comprises a strip 6 of elastic or other suitable material preferably of relatively narrow width, one end of which is provided with a loop 1 and the other end looped as shown at 8 through the loop 7 and connected with a slidebuckle 9 through which the strip 6 is threaded as is common practice in providing for the adjustment of bands, strips, or the like.

At diametrically opposite points the strip 5 is threaded through plate-buckles Ill which in the use of the belt are located at the front and rear ends of the belt. Each buckle 10 which may be Divided and this application May 29,

made of any suitable material, preferably sheet celluloid backed by fabric, is provided with two pairs of slots it, the slots of each pair being shown as substantially parallel, and the pairs of slots arranged in upwardly diverging relation as shown. The strip 6 is so threaded through the slots H as represented as to provide at the front and rear of the belt depending loop-portions l2 threaded through grip devices [3 thus supported thereby and which serve as points of attachment for the ends of the napkin to be supported by the belt and represented at E4.

The particular illustrated construction of grip device I3 is formed of wire (preferably spring brass Wire of about I9 gauge or .031 music wire) bent upon itself to provide an upper cross-bar 43 engaged by the belt-loop l2, downwardly converging, slightly inwardly arched, side portions l5, connected together at I6, as for example, by applying a band thereto as shown, brazing them or applying a spot of solder, such as represented at 16, and side portions 1'! in the form of spring legs which at their upper ends downwardly diverge as represented at is and at their lower ends downwardly converge as represented at E9, being outwardly bent upon themselves at their lower extremities into the form shown to permit of easy entry of the napkin-end into the grip, as hereinafter described.

The belt is adjusted to the user either by sliding it through one or the other or both of the buckles IE3 or by adjusting the buckle 9 or by any combination of the adjustments thus provided as conditions may require.

The strip 6 being adjustable in the buckles l0, it is necessary to provide, in order that all contingencies of adjustment be provided for, only one adjustment of the length of the strip, viz., at the buckle 9 in the particular construction shown which makes for simplicity and economy of structure.

Furthermore, by providing the buckles Ill, as shown, the portions of the strap 6 leading thereto may be caused to present the desired angle of convergence (while providing for the depending por tions l2 preferably of loop form) for ensuring the lying of the strap 6 in flat condition against the body of the user and the conforming fit, with resultant comfort, of the belt about the body.

The napkin-ends are secured to the grip devices I3 by threading them through the upper openings in the devices, as shown of the one in Fig. 4, and bending back the protruding portions of the napkin-ends and upwardly snapping them past the spring legs I! to enter them into the lower openings in these grip devices to the position shown of one end in Fig. 5, the ends of the napkins being inserted into the grip devices either from the front or the rear. The napkin ends thus become wedged between the converging portions l5 and l? of the grip devices, and any tendency toward pulling the napkin and grip devices apart increases the wedging of the napkin-ends to the grip devices and enhances security against separation of these parts.

Neither the belt nor the buckle in connection with which I have illustrated and described my present invention are claimed herein as they form the subjects of separate applications copending herewith.

While I have illustrated and described a particular embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be understood as intending to limit it thereto, as the same may be variously modified and altered without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new, and desired to secure by Letters Patent, is:

An elongated device for gripping an end of a flexible element comprising a member of spring wire the mid portion of which forms a loop to receive the end of said element, said loop having an end for receiving a strap and sides convexed inwardly and converging to contacting relationship, means engaging said sides to maintain the same in contacting relationship, and leg portions extending from said sides generally in the direction of the length of said member, said legs being each outwardly bowed with their terminal portions positioned adjacent each other and outwardly bent at their ends to facilitate insertion of the end of the flexible element.

LAURA C. FOLLIN. 

